I'm just going to take a quick moment to sing the praises of a comic book, if you don't mind. This here blog has been known to delve into comic book nerdiness before. Specifically, I have delved into it before.
Ed Brubaker, who was the man who killed Captain America, at least for awhile, also has been writing a dynamite noir-ish crime book called, aptly and simply enough, "Criminal". He's been at it for years. I own every single issue. Each self-contained 5 or 6 issue story line has been great, especially for those of us who love the old school noir crime stories. And the 70's era resurgence. Along with artist Sean Phillips and colorist Val Staples (who is a secret MVP of the series--his washed old colors really bring the noir aspect to life), Brubaker has had great fun with the niche.
But the new series, Criminal: Last of the Innocent is particularly nasty. Brubaker has crafted a noir story out of poor boy forced to choose between small town love and rich girl slumming love. The protagonist's best friend is a dope fiend who, when high, can't stop eating. It takes an issue or two before one realizes that what Brubaker has done is CRIMINALIZE the gang of Archie, Veronica, Betty and Jughead. It is a nasty realization. Imagine if Archie got married to Veronica, but hated himself for doing it, and decided to jab an icepick into Veronica's eye. That's Brubaker! And it is brilliant fun to read.
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